The Buzz | Andrew Warren lawsuit reveals new information

Plus: We talked to Ron DeSantis (but not the one you think)

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View this on the Web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Thursday, December 1, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Good morning.   When you think of The Villages, you don't typically think of a place with many political divides. The deep red retirement community has been a reliable — and growing — Republican stronghold.   But the residents there are torn over the idea of a potential clash between former president Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis in a presidential primary. Reporter Hannah Critchfield went there to hear the residents work through the looming conflict.   — Emily L. Mahoney, emahoney@tampabay.com [LAWRENCE MOWER | Times] Lawsuits reveal inner workings of DeSantis' office The Rundown: The high-profile trial to decide the legality of DeSantis' removal of Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren is underway in Tallahassee this week.   Just two days in, it's already given the public a deep behind-the-scenes look at what led up to the move by DeSantis, which shook the Tampa Bay region and broadened the use of the powers of his office.   We also learned about how the governor's staff was working at first to identify Warren as a prosecutor who should be removed, then determined the strategy for how they would portray the move to the public.   Yesterday, Warren's lawyers highlighted how the governor's office mostly talked to Republicans when it came to digging into Warren. The judge, too, seemed skeptical of their research methods.   DeSantis' public safety czar, Larry Keefe, was heavily involved in the entire process. He was the first one to set out to try to identify "woke" prosecutors in Florida, he said. Keefe also personally appeared in Warren's office with two sheriff's deputies to escort him out once the suspension order was issued.   Some members of DeSantis' communications staff also got in trouble with the governor by appearing too publicly giddy about the suspension, the trial has revealed.   One high-profile staffer, Christina Pushaw, was "taken to the proverbial woodshed” by DeSantis, according to the governor's lawyer, after she tweeted before the announcement that people should "prepare for the liberal media meltdown of the year." A little over a week later, she announced she would be leaving the governor's office for a role with the campaign.   Read on for lots more fascinating details. Or delve into four highlights from the first day of the trial to better understand some of the key legal questions.   This isn't the only legal tangle shining a spotlight on DeSantis' top aides.   Keefe and the governor's chief of staff, James Uthmeier, were also recently added in the lawsuit over the migrant flights to Martha's Vineyard. Documents involved in that lawsuit have similarly showed how staffers in the governor's office were key figures in putting those flights together.   But the governor's office is continuing to wrangle over public records in a related flights lawsuit, prompting one watchdog group to ask a judge to charge the administration with contempt of court.  If you read nothing else this week ... Meet Ron DeSantis (no, not that one). Before the last few years, there was nothing special about the name Ron DeSantis. But now, Floridians who happen to share the governor's name face a particular set of social obstacles. Reporter Kirby Wilson talked to two local Ron DeSantises about what it's like to send airlines and restaurants into a tizzy.  What we're watching DeSantis' book deal: The governor will be publishing an autobiography in February called “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival."    Making it official: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor filed to run for reelection. She has not drawn a big-name challenger so far.   Tampa Bay political chiefs: At least two candidates are campaigning to replace embattled Hillsborough County Republican Chairman Jim Waurishuk. Other local party groups are also poised to have new leaders.    Moody goes after real estate firm: Attorney General Ashley Moody's office is suing a real estate company in Hillsborough County Circuit Court, alleging deceptive business practices to prey on vulnerable homeowners. What we're buzzing about  [J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE | AP] New Democratic leader: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries will be the first Black American to lead a major political party in Congress when Speaker Nancy Pelosi steps aside next year. Learn more about him and his team.    Another voter fraud case resolved: A Tampa woman, Romona Oliver, who was one of the 20 people arrested by DeSantis' new election security force, accepted a plea deal. Here's what her lawyer said about why she made that decision.    Convicted: Oath Keepers boss Stewart Rhodes was convicted Tuesday of seditious conspiracy over his violent plot to overturn the 2020 election. A fellow defendant from Florida was also convicted of that serious charge.    Resign-to-run: Florida's top lawmakers said they're in support of changing state law to clarify that DeSantis could run for president while staying governor.  Get the latest coverage from the Times Subscribe to the Tampa Bay Times in print or online to get the full story on local, state and national politics from Emily L. Mahoney and the rest of the Buzz team. Subscribe now! Your Thursday distraction Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. got attention for his breakout performance during a game Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons.    But he also wore a really big hat.  Contact Emily L. Mahoney at emahoney@tampabay.com. Follow @mahoneysthename. Did someone forward this to you? Get The Buzz in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. 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